Vṛshotsarjana

Vṛshotsarjana means “releasing a bull”. It is a Vedic rite in which a consecrated bull is set free in honour of one’s departed ancestors, the pitṛs. As the sacred animal wanders freely, the pitṛs in the other world receive merit that never runs out.

The Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa gives two chapters to this rite. One describes the marks of a bull fit to be released. The other describes the full rite, with its mantras and its phalaśruti (promised fruit).

Choosing the Bull: Its Marks (Chapter 146)

The Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa lays down particular bodily marks (lakshaṇas) for the bull chosen for release. Only a bull that has these marks is thought to be auspicious and able to carry the full merit of the rite to the pitṛs. The chapter is called Vṛshotsarjana Vṛshabha Lakshaṇa, “the marks of the bull for the bull-release”.

The Rite (Chapter 147)

Chapter 147, the Vṛshotsarjana Varṇana (description of the bull-release), gives the full method. Its main features are:

Timing: the main occasion for Vṛshotsarjana is Āśvayuja Amāvāsyā, the new moon of the month of Āśvayuja (Āśvina). The month of Kārttika is also named as an auspicious time for this rite.

Method: the bull is prepared with ceremony, marked with the proper signs and set free with particular mantras. The release is done with the intention of benefiting the pitṛs.

Mantras: the chapter records the mantras to be recited at the moment of release.

Phalaśruti: the main benefit goes to the pitṛs. When the consecrated bull wanders freely, grazing, resting and drinking, each of these acts creates merit that flows to the ancestors honoured through the rite. The Purāṇa describes this as a gift that gives the pitṛs never-ending nourishment in their realm.

Sources

• Vishṇu Dharmottara Purāṇa, Pūrvārdha, Chapters 146–147